19. “They were my very own brothers!” Gideon said. “I swear by the living Lord that if you had let them live, I would let you live.”
20. Gideon turned to Jether, his eldest son. “Kill them!” Gideon said.But Jether was young, and he was too afraid even to pull out his sword.
21. “What's the matter, Gideon?” Zebah and Zalmunna asked. “Do it yourself, if you're not too much of a coward!”Gideon jumped up and killed them both. Then he took the fine gold ornaments from the necks of their camels.
22. After the battle with the Midianites, the Israelites said, “Gideon, you rescued us! Now we want you to be our king. Then after your death, your son and then your grandson will rule.”
23. “No,” Gideon replied, “I won't be your king, and my son won't be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler.
24. But I will ask you to do one thing: give me all the earrings you took from the enemy.”The enemy soldiers had been Ishmaelites, and they wore gold earrings.